Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Jane Bryson, Dexter Bullock, Tracey Cannon, Tricia Clough, Natalie Hoy, Clive Moesby and Evonne Parkin.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

Councillor Steve Fritchley (Leader of the Council), declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 4 – Update on Dragonfly Development Ltd, and would stay in the meeting when the item was considered.

To move:- 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).  [The category of exempt information is stated below each item].

Moved by Councillor Steve Fritchley and seconded by Councillor Derek Adams

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the stated Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and it is not in the public interest for that to be revealed. [The category of exempt information is stated after each Minute].

Exempt Paragraphs 1 and 3.

Council considered a detailed report of the Leader of the Council which provided an update to Members on progress made to develop Dragonfly Development Ltd as a wholly owned company of the Council.  The report also advised Members of next steps.

Members asked questions to which the Executive Director Strategy and Development, the Executive Director of Resources and the Solicitor to the Council responded.

The Executive Director Strategy and Development and the Executive Director of Resources left the meeting at this point.

Councillor Duncan McGregor requested that a recorded vote be taken on this item which was supported by Councillors David Downes and Liz Smyth.

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Ray Heffer

RESOLVED that (1) the report and the progress made to transfer Dragonfly Development Ltd into a wholly owned company of the Council be noted,

(2) a full business case outlining the proposed future commercial activity of the company has been commissioned and is in progress be noted,

(3) that Dragonfly Development Ltd delivers the existing projects outlined in paragraph 1.2 and future projects outlined in Appendix1, on behalf of the Council, on commercial terms, as the principal contractor be approved,

(4) the secondment of the Executive Director of Development and Strategy to the post of Chief Executive of Dragonfly Development Ltd be approved,

(5) the secondment of the Executive Director of Resources and Head of Paid Service to the post of Chief Executive of Bolsover District Council. This post will also assume the responsibility of the Council’s Returning Officer be approved,

(6) the secondment of a further 2 members of the senior management team into Dragonfly Development Ltd to ensure the appropriate running of the company and appropriate supervision of staff be approved,

(7) the senior management structure for the Council will be reviewed to ensure it remains fit for purpose be noted,

(8) delegated authority be given to the Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Leader to extend the above staffing arrangements for a further period of up to 3 months if required to ensure the delivery of schemes during the development of the full business case,

(9) the increased salary budget outlined within the financial implications of this report be approved.

Councillors Allan Bailey, Tom Kirkham and Peter Roberts voted against the motion.